OUC announced on Oct.12 that customers can return to normal water use following the recent temporary shortage of liquid oxygen.
Photos Courtesy of OUC
We may be surrounded by water here in Florida, but it is still a resource that we need to appreciate and use conservatively. People like you and I can do our part to limit water usage in our own lives while OUC’s commercial partners make large changes to cut back on wasted water. OUC has collected a series of tips that will help you do your part in saving our planet’s most valuable phenomenon.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact that few of us are likely to forget anytime soon. In addition to every issue the pandemic brought, we are now treating our liquid oxygen supplies tenderly. The need for liquid oxygen for medical use means that it is less available for usage in water treatment. Contributions by larger OUC clients like Universal Orlando Resort, Taylor Farms, Lynx, and more have made alterations in their routines that are helping us to save our water.
As an example, the LYNX transit agency cut down its bus-washing by half. Rather than washing the exterior of the buses every day, they cut back to washing them every other day instead (while maintaining their cleaning of the interior as usual). Universal Orlando and each of its destination resorts have suspended pressure washing and other water-guzzling tasks as a result of the shortage. Their everyday water conservation routine involves recycling and repurifying water from pools and rides and now extends to preserve even more. Taylor Farms cut back a considerable amount of wasted water by pausing land irrigation and closing excessive wash stations.
While OUC’s larger clients may be capable of preserving more water than your household, we each can still make a monumental difference. Follow these tips from OUC to see how you and your family can contribute to Orlando’s effort in conserving liquid oxygen levels. Do what you can and potentially help save the life of someone who needs it.
Contrary to what you may think, a modern dishwasher uses about 10 gallons less of water than hand-washing your dishes. A great way to save on your water usage is by putting those dishes in the dishwasher instead of washing them by hand. It’s more convenient – and it doesn’t hurt that it significantly cuts down on your gallons. If you don’t have a dishwasher, an alternative would be to fill your sink with water and wash your dishes by hand with the faucet off.
Additionally, rather than letting your sprinklers run during the day, let Florida’s infamous afternoon showers water your lawn. Irrigation systems are the largest culprit in water usage, accounting for 38-40% of drinking water usage. Outdoor water use and irrigation are to blame for 50% of residential water usage. Try cleaning the exterior of your house with a broom rather than a pressure washer. If you have any leftover water, such as from a pet’s bowl, use it to water plants. Recycle your water wherever you can and find great alternatives for water-centric services.
Check your toilet for a leak that can easily go undetected: Add a few drops of food coloring inside the toilet’s tank and wait for 15-20 minutes without flushing. If your toilet has a leak, color will enter the toilet bowl within that time frame. An affordable fix is replacing the flapper in your toilet’s tank. Water usage in the bathroom is where the majority of indoor water use comes from. Take shorter showers and cut down on wasted water to make a difference.
In addition to these great tips for water conservation, follow general guidelines for saving water. Only run your washer or dishwasher with a full load, cut back on how frequently you wash your car, turn off faucets when not in active use, and save or recycle water in as many areas of your life as possible. Water is an invaluable resource, and we cannot afford to lose it.
